Navy Secretary Dalton Returning to Private Sector

WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES

06.12.1998

Courtesy Story

Defense.gov         

Navy Secretary John H. Dalton announced June 8 his intention to leave office in December after more than five years as leader of the Navy Department.

"John Dalton has done a tremendous job as secretary of the Navy, and he will be missed," Defense Secretary William S. Cohen said when announcing Dalton's resignation. "He entered as head of the finest Navy-Marine Corps Team the world has ever known. He will leave behind a department with high morale, a strong sense of purpose and a clear vision of the future. I wish him well in his future endeavors."

Dalton, a 57-year-old New Orleans native, graduated with distinction in 1964 from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. He was deputy brigade commander, the academy's second highest-ranking cadet position. He served on active duty from 1964 to 1969 as a communications and weapons officer aboard nuclear submarines. He was promoted to lieutenant commander in the Naval Reserve.

"I feel greatly blessed to serve as Navy secretary," Dalton said. "The Department of the Navy has been transformed, and I am proud to have participated in that. During my nearly five years in office, it has been a privilege and an honor to work with the sailors, Marines and civilians that make up the Navy-Marine Corps Team.

He said he plans to return to the private sector and will spend his remaining six months in office focusing on recruiting efforts, ratification of the Law of the Sea Treaty and development of the Navy Ethics Center at the Naval Academy.

As secretary, Dalton is responsible for all affairs of the Navy, including recruiting, organizing, supplying, equipping, training, mobilizing and demobilizing the force. He oversees construction, outfitting and repair of naval ships, equipment and facilities. The secretary also formulates and implements policies and programs consistent with national security policies and objectives set by the president and secretary of defense.

Dalton last year became the first service secretary to receive the International Security Leadership Award from the National Security Caucus. The award recognized his "leadership and vision in promoting American seapower and a bipartisan maritime strategy." Previous winners include former Presidents George Bush and Ronald Reagan and former Defense Secretaries William Perry and Caspar Weinberger.

The National Security Caucus Foundation has also established the John H. Dalton Congressional Fellowship in Maritime Strategy Studies in his honor.

Story by Rudi Williams, American Forces Press Service

• Date Taken: 06.12.1998
• Date Posted: 07.04.2025 00:35
• Story ID: 529796
• Location: WASHINGTON, US